A detailed syllabus gives students a sense of the nature of the course, what they will be expected to do in the course, and how their performance will be assessed. In many cases, the syllabus is viewed as a contract between you and the students. A syllabus should be clear about policies and procedures related to the course.
Syllabus components
·Course title and other useful course information. ·Titles and authors of required/recommended textbooks ·Course goals ·Describe how the course relates to students’ lives ·Course description, which might include the “big questions” this course will address and/or how the course fits into the discipline and the curriculum ·Some type of graphic or image that is related to the course content ·Course schedule including dates of field trips that might convey the conceptual structure used to organize the course ·Information about assignments and assessments including types of assignments and assessments, nature of exams (take home, open book, in-class) due dates, grading criteria and grading scale, rubrics, and so forth) ·Description of students’ responsibilities in the learning process ·Statement that the syllabus is subject to change ·Suggestions on how to succeed in the course such as strategies for studying, taking tests, and taking notes, information about campus resources ·Statement regarding accommodation for students with special learning needs
Creating your course syllabus Develop your course syllabus, making sure you include your goals, clearly state what you expect from students and what they can expect from you, and consider the tone you want to convey through the syllabus.
A detailed syllabus gives students a sense of the nature of the course, what they will be expected to do in the course, and how their performance will be assessed. In many cases, the syllabus is viewed as a contract between you and the students. A syllabus should be clear about policies and procedures related to the course.
· Course title and other useful course information.
· Titles and authors of required/recommended textbooks
· Course goals
· Describe how the course relates to students’ lives
· Course description, which might include the “big questions” this course will address and/or how the course fits into the discipline and the curriculum
· Some type of graphic or image that is related to the course content
· Course schedule including dates of field trips that might convey the conceptual structure used to organize the course
· Information about assignments and assessments including types of assignments and assessments, nature of exams (take home, open book, in-class) due dates, grading criteria and grading scale, rubrics, and so forth)
· Description of students’ responsibilities in the learning process
· Statement that the syllabus is subject to change
· Suggestions on how to succeed in the course such as strategies for studying, taking tests, and taking notes, information about campus resources
· Statement regarding accommodation for students with special learning needs
Develop your course syllabus, making sure you include your goals, clearly state what you expect from students and what they can expect from you, and consider the tone you want to convey through the syllabus.